Storystar back on track with new feature to prevent a similar attack...
1 month ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
FYI: Late last week Storystar was attacked by someone who uploaded 500 'stories' within an hour and 1/2 time period. After he and his stories were deleted there were some functionality issues that required Storystar to be restored to a previous backup and several days of legitimate stories and comments were lost in the process. Because we don't ever want the same thing to happen again, as part of preventing the problem we have added a one story per day per user restriction. So if you try to upload more than one story per day you'll get a block. Please come back the next day and add your new story then. Thank you.
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FYI: Late last week Storystar was attacked by someone who uploaded 500 'stories' within an hour and 1/2 time period. After he and his stories were deleted there were some functionality issues that required Storystar to be restored to a previous backup and several days of legitimate stories and comments were lost in the process. Because we don't ever want the same thing to happen again, as part of preventing the problem we have added a one story per day per user restriction. So if you try to upload more than one story per day you'll get a block. Please come back the next day and add your new story then. Thank you.
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Storystar issues...
1 month ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
Storystar was attacked yesterday and needed to be restored to an earlier backup, so several days of stories and comments were lost in the process. There are now some lingering issues... When you comment or post a story, and click the button to submit it, it will seem like nothing is happening. But it is actually posting your comment and/or story, even though it doesn't show you that it is working. Please just REFRESH the page, and do not keep hitting the 'submit' or 'post' button because then your story or comment will be posted over and over again.Note that we are working on fixing all issues, but it may take some time. Thank you for your patience.
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Storystar was attacked yesterday and needed to be restored to an earlier backup, so several days of stories and comments were lost in the process. There are now some lingering issues... When you comment or post a story, and click the button to submit it, it will seem like nothing is happening. But it is actually posting your comment and/or story, even though it doesn't show you that it is working. Please just REFRESH the page, and do not keep hitting the 'submit' or 'post' button because then your story or comment will be posted over and over again.Note that we are working on fixing all issues, but it may take some time. Thank you for your patience.
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Storystar move...
8 months ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
Storystar has moved to a new server/host. A few issues we were having are now fixed, but if you encounter any other issues as you are using Storystar, please let us know so we can fix them. Thanks.
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Storystar has moved to a new server/host. A few issues we were having are now fixed, but if you encounter any other issues as you are using Storystar, please let us know so we can fix them. Thanks.
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Want to turn off the advertising?
1 year ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
With Storystar Premium Membership you will be able to enjoy a completely ad-free experience whenever you are logged in to Storystar. Find details here: https://www.storystar.com/premium-membership
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With Storystar Premium Membership you will be able to enjoy a completely ad-free experience whenever you are logged in to Storystar. Find details here: https://www.storystar.com/premium-membership
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New advertising opportunities
1 year ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
We are now adding additional advertising spaces on Storystar, which will hopefully enable Storystar to pay for its own operating expenses each month and continue to provide free short stories for everyone to enjoy long into the future. Currently we are using Google AdSense ads in these advertising spaces. However, we are open to working with private advertisers who would like to advertise their own products or services on Storystar. This includes authors who may wish to advertise their newest novel, or Publishers and editors who may wish to advertise their services, etc.... If you are interested in exploring this new opportunity please contact us through the provided contact form. Thank you
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We are now adding additional advertising spaces on Storystar, which will hopefully enable Storystar to pay for its own operating expenses each month and continue to provide free short stories for everyone to enjoy long into the future. Currently we are using Google AdSense ads in these advertising spaces. However, we are open to working with private advertisers who would like to advertise their own products or services on Storystar. This includes authors who may wish to advertise their newest novel, or Publishers and editors who may wish to advertise their services, etc.... If you are interested in exploring this new opportunity please contact us through the provided contact form. Thank you
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FYIs and Tips for Writers
2 years ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
1. How are Featured Stories Chosen?
They are chosen based on several factors: Quality of writing/story (subjective). Reader comments and ratings. Writer history on Storystar.
Note that stories that are badly written will not be chosen. If you don't proofread and correct your story before it is posted, don't expect to get any attention and appreciation for it.
If you provide a pic for your story you will have a better chance of being featured. If there is no pic we have to look for one, which takes volunteer time and effort we won't provide unless we REALLY want to. (Note that Storystar is a 100% volunteer effort and no one is paid for their time. We would appreciate it if you do not make us hunt down a pic for your story. Please provide one of your choosing. Small size jpg.)
Because Storystar is run on volunteer effort, no one can sit and read all day, and therefore many stories get missed. This is why we are always open to suggestions for stories to feature, and why we appreciate reader ratings, comments, and nominations, which help us choose worthy stories.
IF your story is a good one that gets readers attention and you receive comments in appreciation, but you do not respond to those comments with any sort of acknowledgment or appreciation, don't expect continued attention from readers. Your 'fans' will go away if they do not feel appreciated.
2. The age category on Storystar is meant as a way to identify the age group of the writer, more than the age of readers the story is meant for. Since Storystar is a family friendly site all the stories are free for all ages of readers, with no 'adult' (porn) subject matter accepted. Since all age categories of stories are accessible to all readers, kids and teens can choose to read stories meant for adults. If you are an adult writer, you should choose the adult category for your story, unless it is meant for ONLY kids or teens, and you do not want any adults to read it. Teens will definitely read stories in the adult category that interest them, based on the description. But adults will NOT read stories listed for teens or kids. So if you choose those categories then you are limiting your readers to exclude all adults.
3. Author Profile: ALL authors should create a profile because it allows you to better promote yourself and it allows readers to more easily access your other stories. Once you create a profile your name appears as a link every time you comment on stories you have read, and on each one of your own stories. So readers and writers can just click on your name if they want to discover more about you or read your work.
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1. How are Featured Stories Chosen?
They are chosen based on several factors: Quality of writing/story (subjective). Reader comments and ratings. Writer history on Storystar.
Note that stories that are badly written will not be chosen. If you don't proofread and correct your story before it is posted, don't expect to get any attention and appreciation for it.
If you provide a pic for your story you will have a better chance of being featured. If there is no pic we have to look for one, which takes volunteer time and effort we won't provide unless we REALLY want to. (Note that Storystar is a 100% volunteer effort and no one is paid for their time. We would appreciate it if you do not make us hunt down a pic for your story. Please provide one of your choosing. Small size jpg.)
Because Storystar is run on volunteer effort, no one can sit and read all day, and therefore many stories get missed. This is why we are always open to suggestions for stories to feature, and why we appreciate reader ratings, comments, and nominations, which help us choose worthy stories.
IF your story is a good one that gets readers attention and you receive comments in appreciation, but you do not respond to those comments with any sort of acknowledgment or appreciation, don't expect continued attention from readers. Your 'fans' will go away if they do not feel appreciated.
2. The age category on Storystar is meant as a way to identify the age group of the writer, more than the age of readers the story is meant for. Since Storystar is a family friendly site all the stories are free for all ages of readers, with no 'adult' (porn) subject matter accepted. Since all age categories of stories are accessible to all readers, kids and teens can choose to read stories meant for adults. If you are an adult writer, you should choose the adult category for your story, unless it is meant for ONLY kids or teens, and you do not want any adults to read it. Teens will definitely read stories in the adult category that interest them, based on the description. But adults will NOT read stories listed for teens or kids. So if you choose those categories then you are limiting your readers to exclude all adults.
3. Author Profile: ALL authors should create a profile because it allows you to better promote yourself and it allows readers to more easily access your other stories. Once you create a profile your name appears as a link every time you comment on stories you have read, and on each one of your own stories. So readers and writers can just click on your name if they want to discover more about you or read your work.
Reply
Newest Writing Challenge Winners Determined....
2 years ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
Congratulations to Hazel Dow of Australia who won the 'commuting' challenge, and Kevin Hughes of N. Carolina who won the '2222' challenge.
Here's the top 6 scores:
The Bus Trip by Hazel Dow: Views: 589 / Votes: 12 (x 4.6) / Country: Australia / Comments: 12 = 764
EDEN. by Kevin Hughes: Views: 521 / Votes: 14 (x 4.7) / Country: United States / Comments: 10 = 687
The year 2222 ( the challenge ) by Gail Moore: Views: 307 / Votes: 14 (x4.6) / Country: New Zealand / Comments: 20 = 571
The Commute. by Kevin Hughes: Views: 216 / Votes: 10 (x 4.7) / Country: United States / Comments: 16 = 423
A quick trip to the dentist. by Ken DaSilva-Hill: Views: 260 / Votes: 10 (x 4.7) / Country: United Kingdom / Comments: 9 = 397
2222 Utopia by Martha Hume: Views: 179 / Votes: 7 (x 4.6) / Country: United States / Comments: 9 = 301
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Congratulations to Hazel Dow of Australia who won the 'commuting' challenge, and Kevin Hughes of N. Carolina who won the '2222' challenge.
Here's the top 6 scores:
The Bus Trip by Hazel Dow: Views: 589 / Votes: 12 (x 4.6) / Country: Australia / Comments: 12 = 764
EDEN. by Kevin Hughes: Views: 521 / Votes: 14 (x 4.7) / Country: United States / Comments: 10 = 687
The year 2222 ( the challenge ) by Gail Moore: Views: 307 / Votes: 14 (x4.6) / Country: New Zealand / Comments: 20 = 571
The Commute. by Kevin Hughes: Views: 216 / Votes: 10 (x 4.7) / Country: United States / Comments: 16 = 423
A quick trip to the dentist. by Ken DaSilva-Hill: Views: 260 / Votes: 10 (x 4.7) / Country: United Kingdom / Comments: 9 = 397
2222 Utopia by Martha Hume: Views: 179 / Votes: 7 (x 4.6) / Country: United States / Comments: 9 = 301
Reply
Writing Challenge Deadline Extended to the end of March....
3 years ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
See details in blog post made a couple weeks ago.
Read more
See details in blog post made a couple weeks ago.
Reply
Winner of the 'Future' Writing Challenge Determined
3 years ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
Entries to the 'Future' Writing Challenge are listed below in order of points earned/received, with the highest scored stories listed first. Note that Gail is the only writer who entered more than one story, and who also boosted both her stories (using her earned rewards points) during the time of voting. Aziz, whose story was among the top earners, also boosted his story. Note that ALL writers can boost their stories using their accumulated Storystar Rewards Points, and yes it does give them an advantage when they do so, because they earn more views, and potentially also more votes (ratings), comments and nominations, which raises their total score. Here is how the total scores are calculated: No of Views + Votes (Rating x No. of Votes x 10 points for each vote) + Comments (No. of original comments x 10 points for each) + Nominations (100 points for each nomination) = Total
WINNER: https://www.storystar.com/story/22684/gail-moore/fiction/science-fiction-2
The future challenge By Gail Moore Views: 514 / Votes: 17 (4.8) / Comments: 13 / Nominations: 3 - Total Points: 1764
https://www.storystar.com/story/22608/gail-moore/fiction/science-fiction-2
The Evil by Gail Moore Views: 570 / Votes: 15 (4.7) / Comments: 15 / Nominations: 2 - Total Points: 1630
https://www.storystar.com/story/22681/hazel-dow/fiction/horror
2023 by Hazel Dow Views: 287 / Votes: 18 (4.7) / Comments: 13 / Nominations: 3 - Total Points: 1567
https://www.storystar.com/story/22557/aziz/fiction/drama-human-interest
2050 by Aziz / Views: 483 / Votes: 11 (5.0) / Comments: 6 / Nominations: 4
- Total Points: 1493
https://www.storystar.com/story/22720/kristin-dockar/fiction/drama-human-interest
Path to a Future by Kristin Dockar Views: 305 / Votes: 10 (4.5) / Comments: 5 / Nominations: 2 - Total Points: 1310
https://www.storystar.com/story/22659/shelly-garrod/fiction/fairy-tales-fantasy
It's a Child's World by Shelly Garrod Views: 446 / Votes: 13 (4.7) / Comments: 11 / Nominations: 1 - Total Points: 1267
https://www.storystar.com/story/22549/kevin-hughes/fiction/science-fiction-2
Reflections on Primates. by Kevin Hughes Views: 461 / Votes: 10 (4.7) / Comments: 9 / Nominations: 2 - Total Points: 1221
https://www.storystar.com/story/22682/martha-huett/fiction/science-fiction-2
It's A Girl: The Brightest Future by Martha Huett Views: 245 / Votes: 13 (4.7) / Comments: 8 / Nominations: 2 - Total Points: 1136
https://www.storystar.com/story/22545/herm-sherwood-sitts/true-life/survival-success-2
Will Love Prevail? by Herm Sherwood-Sitts Views: 344 / Votes: 10 (4.6) / Comments: 6 / Nominations: 0 - Total Points: 864
https://www.storystar.com/story/22675/jason-james-parker/fiction/horror
The Invictae by Jason James Parker Views: 243 / Votes: 10 (4.8) / Comments: 13 / Nominations: 0 - Total Points: 853
https://www.storystar.com/story/22584/shirley-smothers/fiction/science-fiction-2
Breeders and Robots by Shirley Smothers Views: 209 / Votes: 8 (4.4) / Comments: 5 / Nominations: 1 - Total Points: 709
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Entries to the 'Future' Writing Challenge are listed below in order of points earned/received, with the highest scored stories listed first. Note that Gail is the only writer who entered more than one story, and who also boosted both her stories (using her earned rewards points) during the time of voting. Aziz, whose story was among the top earners, also boosted his story. Note that ALL writers can boost their stories using their accumulated Storystar Rewards Points, and yes it does give them an advantage when they do so, because they earn more views, and potentially also more votes (ratings), comments and nominations, which raises their total score. Here is how the total scores are calculated: No of Views + Votes (Rating x No. of Votes x 10 points for each vote) + Comments (No. of original comments x 10 points for each) + Nominations (100 points for each nomination) = Total
WINNER: https://www.storystar.com/story/22684/gail-moore/fiction/science-fiction-2
The future challenge By Gail Moore Views: 514 / Votes: 17 (4.8) / Comments: 13 / Nominations: 3 - Total Points: 1764
https://www.storystar.com/story/22608/gail-moore/fiction/science-fiction-2
The Evil by Gail Moore Views: 570 / Votes: 15 (4.7) / Comments: 15 / Nominations: 2 - Total Points: 1630
https://www.storystar.com/story/22681/hazel-dow/fiction/horror
2023 by Hazel Dow Views: 287 / Votes: 18 (4.7) / Comments: 13 / Nominations: 3 - Total Points: 1567
https://www.storystar.com/story/22557/aziz/fiction/drama-human-interest
2050 by Aziz / Views: 483 / Votes: 11 (5.0) / Comments: 6 / Nominations: 4
- Total Points: 1493
https://www.storystar.com/story/22720/kristin-dockar/fiction/drama-human-interest
Path to a Future by Kristin Dockar Views: 305 / Votes: 10 (4.5) / Comments: 5 / Nominations: 2 - Total Points: 1310
https://www.storystar.com/story/22659/shelly-garrod/fiction/fairy-tales-fantasy
It's a Child's World by Shelly Garrod Views: 446 / Votes: 13 (4.7) / Comments: 11 / Nominations: 1 - Total Points: 1267
https://www.storystar.com/story/22549/kevin-hughes/fiction/science-fiction-2
Reflections on Primates. by Kevin Hughes Views: 461 / Votes: 10 (4.7) / Comments: 9 / Nominations: 2 - Total Points: 1221
https://www.storystar.com/story/22682/martha-huett/fiction/science-fiction-2
It's A Girl: The Brightest Future by Martha Huett Views: 245 / Votes: 13 (4.7) / Comments: 8 / Nominations: 2 - Total Points: 1136
https://www.storystar.com/story/22545/herm-sherwood-sitts/true-life/survival-success-2
Will Love Prevail? by Herm Sherwood-Sitts Views: 344 / Votes: 10 (4.6) / Comments: 6 / Nominations: 0 - Total Points: 864
https://www.storystar.com/story/22675/jason-james-parker/fiction/horror
The Invictae by Jason James Parker Views: 243 / Votes: 10 (4.8) / Comments: 13 / Nominations: 0 - Total Points: 853
https://www.storystar.com/story/22584/shirley-smothers/fiction/science-fiction-2
Breeders and Robots by Shirley Smothers Views: 209 / Votes: 8 (4.4) / Comments: 5 / Nominations: 1 - Total Points: 709
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New Writing Challenge - Two Choices - Deadline March 31
3 years ago
Posted by
Storystar Admin,
News & Information
New Writing Challenge anyone? Might be a nice distraction from all the trauma happening in the world right now...Earlier this year a topic of "Commuting" was suggested by horror story writer, Hazel Dow, of Australia. At Storystar we think of her as the queen of horror, so I know her entry will be a top contender. But maybe your own thoughts about commuting are not so horrifying? IF the idea of commuting does not give you any writing ideas, my own suggestion is 2-22-2222. The world is not exactly going in a positive direction right now.... do we have a future? Will we still be here in 2222? I'd love to read your stories with this year in mind. So now you have TWO writing challenges. Choose one or both and enter your short stories on Storystar before March 31. Then we'll see who readers choose as the winner. Happy Writing!
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New Writing Challenge anyone? Might be a nice distraction from all the trauma happening in the world right now...Earlier this year a topic of "Commuting" was suggested by horror story writer, Hazel Dow, of Australia. At Storystar we think of her as the queen of horror, so I know her entry will be a top contender. But maybe your own thoughts about commuting are not so horrifying? IF the idea of commuting does not give you any writing ideas, my own suggestion is 2-22-2222. The world is not exactly going in a positive direction right now.... do we have a future? Will we still be here in 2222? I'd love to read your stories with this year in mind. So now you have TWO writing challenges. Choose one or both and enter your short stories on Storystar before March 31. Then we'll see who readers choose as the winner. Happy Writing!
Reply
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Clara
2 weeks agoIt's a good feature. I doubt any serious user wishes to publish more than one story per day.
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